Peterson, Panthers looking to shut down Patriots run game

Fort Pierce Westwood coach Chris Hutchings discusses how the team will adjust after players were suspended for the FHSAA regional quarterfinal game set for Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, against Plantation-American Heritage.
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Fort Pierce Westwood's Reggie Peterson (bottom) intercepts the ball with defensive help from teammate Kamari Wilson on a pass intended for Port St. Lucie's Augustus McDaniel during the first quarter of the high school football game Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, at Port St. Lucie High School.(Photo: XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM)Buy Photo

Then again, when a team has state championships in four of the past five seasons, it really doesn’t need to.

“They run the ball and they run the ball really well,” Fort Pierce Westwood coach Chris Hutchings said of American Heritage, the Panthers’ Region 4-5A quarterfinal opponent. “They run power about 15 different ways.

“They run the same plays out of different formations, so they’re consistently running the same things over and over again. It doesn’t seem like they’ve opened the playbook a lot but I don’t know that they’ve had to.”

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South Fork's Robert Weaver runs the ball in the first half of the game against Fort Pierce Westwood at South Fork High School on Friday, September 14, 2018 in Tropical Farms. To see more photos, go to TCPalm.com. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

Fort Pierce Westwood's Jenard Jones runs the ball in the first half of the game against South Fork at South Fork High School on Friday, September 14, 2018 in Tropical Farms. To see more photos, go to TCPalm.com. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

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Fort Pierce Central's Jaden Meizinger runs the ball against Fort Pierce Westwood's defense in the first half of their game at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. To see more photos, go to TCPalm.com. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

Fort Pierce Westwood's Coy Gray runs the ball against Fort Pierce Central's defense in the first half of their game at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. To see more photos, go to TCPalm.com. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The high school football game between Fort Pierce Central and Fort Pierce Westwood at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Peterson was one of the top defensive players on the Treasure Coast during the first two months of the season. He was a first-team pick on the midseason all-area team and earned TCPalm’s Week 4 Defensive Game for his four-sack, six-tackle for loss performance against South Fork.

Peterson’s lanky frame and versatility has allowed the Panthers in multiple ways.

“Reggie has been able to do a lot of different things for us,” Hutchings said. “He’s pretty solid in pass coverage, he’s one of our best defenders and he tackles well in space. Inside, outside, coming off the edge. He’s really versatile. At some point, he might end up being an inside guy. He seems pretty good in there. Some of the stuff he did as an inside linebacker, I think his skill set maybe fits better there.”

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Vero Beach High School's Bryan Primus-Winston scrambles to the end zone to score on a 17-yard run in the first quarter against Fort Pierce Westwood on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, at the Citrus Bowl in Vero Beach. ERIC HASERT/TCPALM

Fort Pierce Westwood's Jenard Jones is slowed by the grip from Corey Henry, of Vero Beach, before being tacked for a loss on the first quarter play on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, at the Citrus Bowl in Vero Beach. ERIC HASERT/TCPALM

Vero Beach High School quarterback Nick Celidonio (center) works his way around Fort Pierce Westwood defender Ahmanuel Thorpe (right) before being brought down by Fort Pierce Westwood’s Reggie Peterson (not pictured) late in the first quarter on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, at the Citrus Bowl in Vero Beach. Vero Beach won 49-16. ERIC HASERT/TCPALM

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Fort Pierce Westwood's Jenard Jones runs the ball upfield as Suncoast's Mitzseen Joseph tries to make the tackle in the first half of their game at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, October 12, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM

Fort Pierce Westwood's Willie Lewis (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of their game against Suncoast at the Calvin Triplett Field at Lawnwood Stadium on Saturday, October 12, 2018 in Fort Pierce. HOBIE HILER/SPECIAL TO TCPALM